Loom



Oct. 15, 1929.

E. F. BALDWIN '7 Shams-Sheet` l lmNN IIIIIIIIHHIIIHIIILl llklllllllllllllll Y la l Oct. 15, 1929. E. F. BALDWIN LOOM.

Filed Feb. 18, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet A 2 7 Sheets-Sheet www,

Oct, 15, 1929. I" F. BALDWIN LOOM Filed Feb. 18, 1925 MNN 1Q QQ E. F. BALDWIN 1,731,369

Loom

Filed Feb. 18, 1925 7 Sheets 5heet V4 uct. 15, 1929.

OGL 15, 1929 E. F; BALDwi-N Loon Filed Feb. 18. 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 L n.- winni hl C a Y C .LFCISIGISIOIG i n A.

Oct. 15, 1929.

E. F'. BALDWIN LOOM v Filed Feb. 18, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet,- 6

wlwf @w www www Oct. l5, 1929. E. F. BALDWIN LOOM Filed Feb. 18, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 KRW @N KRW QMS MAQ Rm {QN v R@ m NQ N @5% Patented Get. 15, 1929 OFFICE.

EARL F. BALDWIN, OI GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR TO AMERICAN FIBER CORPORATION, OF GARENER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION F MASSACHU- SETTS LOOM Application led February This invention relates to looms, more especially those designed to weave relatively heavy strands, such, for example, those made from strips of paper formed up into cord or twine.

After each pick is laid it is severed from the remainder of the filling strand, the end of which is then grasped and carried through the shed to form the succeeding pick.

Certain features of this invention reside in the mechanism by which the picks are laid and cut.

The strand material is commonly wound on reels or spools, and sometimes is knotted to facilitate Winding it when from breakage or other cause the length is discontinuous. As made in the fabric, however, knots in the filling would interfere with the proper laying of the picks. For this reason mechanism is provided according to this invention for automatically cutting the strand at the knot and for thereafter stopping the machine so that the strand back of the knot may be brought into feeding position. As in the normal running of the machine the reel carrying the filling strand is unwinding rapidly, provision is also made by which, on the cutting or breaking of the strand, such unwinding is stopped, this preventing the momentum of the parts from continuing such unwinding after the feeding of the strand into the shed has ceased.

F rther objects and advantageous details and combinations of parts will appear from a more complete description of an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the loom.

Figures 2 and 3 are right and left end elevations respectively, of the same.

igure i is a detail in perspective showing means for holding one end of the pick in position in the fabric.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 0f Figure 1.

Figure G is a detail partly in section of the pick-laying mechanism. y

Figure 7 is a detail in plan, parts being removed, of the Isame mechanism.

Figures 8 and 9 are elevational details Serial No. 9,958.

showing the strand gripper in closed and open position, respectively.

Figure 10 is a top plan of the gripper and related parts.

Figure 11 is a plan of a strand guide and gripper opening device.

Figure 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a detail elevation showing the mounting of the strand guide of Figures 11 and 12 with relation to certain parts of the pick laying mechanism.

Figure 111 is a detail of a portion of the stop mechanism.

Figure 15 is a detail end elevation showing the mounting of the filling strand supply reel.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the filling strand supply reel, the knot cutting device and the brake applying mechanism for the reel.

Figure 17 is a detail partly in Asection of the knot cutting device.

Figure 18 is a detail elevationof the harness frames.

Referring first to Figures 2, 3 and 5, a indicates the line of the Warp strands through the machine. As shown, each warp strand passes about a tension device indicated generally at A., through a shedding mechanism indicated at B, and through a filling laying mechanism at C, w 1ere the filling strandsl are wovon to form with the warp strands the desired fabric. This fabric passes about the take-up mechanism D and then is wound up on the mandrel E. rlhe warpl tension mechanism may be of any suitable type, but as herein shown comprises a. roll 10 about which each of the Warp strands pass and against the surface of which each strand is pressed by means of a vtension linger 11. Each tension linger has a notch 12 at an intermediate point' in its length for engagement with the edge of a depending flange 13 on an angle frame member 14. The inner end' of each finger 11 has a series of notches 15 therein with any of which may be selectively engaged one end of a tension member comprising a spring 16, the other end of which is fixed in any suitable way to the frame member 14. The finger 11 engages the surface of the roll on the opposite side of the flange 13 from the spring 16 and is therefore pressed into engagement with the strand, holding it firmly to the surface of the roll. By this means an individual tension is imparted to each of the strands. After passing about the roll 10 the strands pass about a roll mounted at the upper ends of arms 21, each pivot-ed as at 22 (see Figures 2 and 3) at the axis of the roll 10. The lower ends of the arms 21 at each end of the machine are pulled inwardly toward the machine frame, as by means of a spring 23, the tension of which may be adjusted as by means of a wheel 24 threaded on the portion 25 of the spring and bearing against a fixed boss 26 through which the portion extends. The springs 23 yield to a tension imparted to all the strands passing over the roll 20, the tension of the spring 23 being so adjusted as to permit this roll to yield when the tensionexerted by all the strands is less than the summation of the tensions necessary to cause slippage of the strands between the fingers 11 and the roll 10.

' Thus, if the tension on any individual strand is insuiiicient to move the roll 2O it may be sufiicient to permit this individual strand to feed by slippage between its finger 11 and the roll 10. A construction operating in a very similar manner is disclosed and claimed in my application for patent, Serial No. 603,309, filed November 25, 1922, let-off mechanism for looms.

The roll 10 is permitted to rotate to feed the strands, but a resistance to its rotation is provided, this resistance comprising a. brake' shown in Figure 3 as comprising a pair of sections 30 clamping between them with an adjustable pressure, determined by screws 31, the periphery of a. brake wheel 32 fixed to rotate with the roll 10. This brake member may be held from rotation with the wheel 32 by any suitable means. As shown one of these members 30 is provided with a projecting boss 33 which engages a flange 34 on the end frame 35 of the machine for this purpose.

The shedding mechanism B is substantially identical with that described and claimed in my application for patent, Serial No. 521,624, filed December 12, 1921, for loom, and comprises two pairs of end to end positioned harness frames and 41. Opposite ends of these frames may be caused to move out of time with each other in order to .produce a progressive shedding` across the loom in the manner fully set forth in this last mentioned application. As shown in Figure 18, the outer end of each harness frame is formed arcuate as at 42 and rides against a roll-er 48 held in a supporting frame member 44. rIhe inner ends of the harness frames engage on opposite sides of a supporting guide 45. Adjacent each end of each frame is a. depending arm 46 to which may be fixed the upper end of a linlr 47 extending to an eccentric strap 48 on an eccentric fixed to a shaft 49. These eccentrics are independently adjustable about the shaft 49 so that the timing of the rising and falling motions of the two ends of each harness frame may be adjusted relatively as desired so that one end of each harness frame may be somewhat in advance of the other in its cycle of operation. As shown, the inner` ends of the frames are adjusted ahead of the outer ends so that the picks when laid are gripped iirst at the center of width of the fabric being made, and are then gripped progressively toward the edges of the fabric, thus permitting the strands to draw inwardly from both ends toward the center in order that they may not be unduly stretched when they are forced to assume the crinkled condition imposed upon them by their engagementV about the warp strands. This is particularly important where strands of Considerable size are employed, as, for example, those formed from strips of paper for which this machine has been more particularly designed, particularly when such paper strands are comparatively dry and stiff. Where the strands are somewhat wet, it may be desirable to start the shedding at the edges of the fabric and progressively approach the central position in order that the strand, which is comparatively limp when wet, shall be placed under the desired tension and be laid so as to form a sufficiently tight fabric, As shown each of the harness frames is provided with a series of vertically disposed members 50, each having a perforation 51 through which a warp strand is passed. Y

In front of the shedding mechanism is positioned thel filling laying mechanism at C. This mechanism comprises a layV shown at having a reed 61 extending thereacross at its upper end. This reed, as best shown in Figures 1, 5 and 14, comprises a plate having vertically extending spaced slots 63 therein through which the warp strands pass. Positioned against the forward face of this plate are a pair of plates 65 slotted to mate the slots in the reed, as shown best in Figure 6. The slots in the plates 65 extend inwardly from their adjacent edges which are turned forwardly and then vertically toward the opposite plate 65 so as to form a series of fingers 66 positioned opposite to the solid portions of the reed between the slots and dening therewith a guideway 67 substantially channel-shaped in cross section and presenting an open slot lengthwise thereof on its forward face between the opposed ends of the fingers 66 on the upper and lower plates. rlhis reed construction is not claimed herein, but forms the subject matter of a divisional application Serial No. 194,869, filed May 28, 1927, for'reeds. The lay 60 extends some distance beneath the reed and carries' at its lower end a substantially channelshaped guideway 68 arranged parallel to the upper guideway and extending across the machine, this channel-shaped guideway alsohaving a lengthwise extending slot 69 in its forward face similar to the slot of the upper guidcway.

Beyond the ends of the lay are guideway sections 70 similar to the guideway 68 and forming continuations at either end of the guideway 67 formed by the reed 61 and the plates 65. The upper and lower guideways 68, 67 and 70 have positioned at either end thereof sprocket wheels 75, the teeth 76 of which project into the guideways in position to engage at suitable times a length of sprocket chain 80 which may be projected thereby through the upper and lower guideways in an endless path. At each end of these guideways is arranged a curved guide member 81 surrounding the periphery of the corresponding sprocket wheel 7 5 and acting to hold the chain in engagement with the teeth of the sprocket wheels so that the chain is received by each sprocket wheel from one of the guideways, is carried about its circumference, and then projected in the reverse direction into the other of the guideways. It will be noted that the chain 80 is not continuous, but is of a length suii'icient to engage its end portions only with the two sprocket wheels at one time so that when it is passed into engagement with either of the sprocket wheels-,about a substantial portion of its periphery, it is enh the other sprocket tirely out of contact wit wheel. and for this purpose carries the device for engaging the strand of filling material to lay it in the shed, this device, shown at 85, thus passing through the shed as the chain is in the upper guideway to lay the pick and returning beneath the shed as the chain return through the lower guideway.

As shown best in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the strand gripping device comprises a pair of jaws 86 and 8'? pivoted together and to a link 88 of the chain 80 on a screw 89. A s shown in Figure 10 this screw 89 passes through the jaw members 86 and 87 and through a spacing block 90 fixed to the. outer face of the link 88. Gn its inner end is threaded a securing nut 91. rlhe pivot 89 passes through the jaws 86 and 87 intermediate their ends and at one side of this pivot these'jaw members are formed with strand-gripping faces. As shown these faces are formed with a projection 91 on the aw 87 engageable within a depression 92 on the jaw 86. rlfhese gripping faces are normally pressed toward each other so as to grip a strand placed therebetween, this being shown as effected by means of a spring 98 positioned between the opposite end portions of the jaws o6 and 87 and resting in depressions or seats 94 therein. it is important that the strand-gripping device shall be held properly positioned angularly with relation to the link 88 in order that it rlhis chain acts to feed the fillingv may be properly positioned to engage and release the strand. For this purpose the block and the link 88 are shown as fixed together by a pin 95 having a portion 96 shown as of enlarged diameter projecting outwardly from the block 91 and between the aws 86 and 87 adjacent to their strand-engaging faces at 91 and 92. The mating portions of these jaws may be recessed, as shown in dotted lines at 98 in Figure 9, to form sockets into which the portion 96 may engage. rlihis portion 96, therefore, forms a stop for each of the jaws, limiting the extent of its pivotal motion about the pivot 89 in one direction, thus cooperating with the spring 98 to retain theV device with the jaws substantially lengthwise disposed relative to the link 88. The block 90 's of sufficient thickness so that the strand'- gi'ipping device is positioned forwardly of the guides through which the chain 80 passes, the block 90 riding within the slots in the forward faces of these guideways.

ln order that the pick strand may be laid the shed it is necessary that the strand be presented to the gripping device and the gripping device actuated to receive and grip the strand. This is effected by a device illustrated detached in Figures 11 and 12 and which comprises a block 100 having a slot 101 lengthwise of its rear face of sufficient width to permit the strand-gripping device to pass therethrough, although insufficient to permit it to so pass with the rear ends of the jaws 86 and 87 fully separated by the spring 98. The opposite walls 102 and 108 of thisA slot engage the inclined outer faces of the jaws on the saine side of the pivot as the spring 98 and as the device is carried therethrough wedge these ends together, thus causing the strand-grip ding faces thereof to be separated, as shown in Figure 9, so that the strand may be placed therebetween. Fixed to the block 100 is a plate 105, carrying at one end a rearwardly inclined strand guide 106, the mouth 1027 of this strand guide being out off along bevel, as shown, and positionedat such a distance from that end of the block 100 from which the gripping device emerges that the end of the strand is in position for the strandgripping faces of the jaws 86 and 8'? to be positioned at either side thereof. As the gripping device emerges from the slot 101 and the spring 98 is permitted to close the strandgripping faces, they close on the strand which is thereupon drawn through the guide 106 and caused to be pulled through the shed by the traverse ot the chain 80.

ln order that different widths of fabric may be made by this machine, provision has been made for adjusting the position of the block 100 and the strand guide 106 across the shed. For this purpose the bloc-k 100 is shown (see Figure 18) as carried by a bracket plate 110 which may helix-ed in any desired adjusted position along a base plate 111, which, as

shown in Figure 5, may be formed as the horizontal flange of an angle member, the vertical flange of which forms the shed plate 62.

When the strand has been carried through the shed in this manner it should then be released from the gripping' device in order that the latter may be returned and passed through the shed in the same direction as before to lay a succeeding pick. For this purpose a gripper guide 115 may be carried at the opposite end of the shed from the guide 106, as shown in Figure 1, this guide being shown as fixed to the plate of the lay. This guide 115 may have a slot similar to the slot 101 of the block 100, with its side walls so spaced that the gripping device is opened to release the strand in the same manner that it was opened to receive the strand when passing through the slot 101. The gripping device havingI been opened in this manner by the member 115 it ceases to pull on the strand which slips therefrom as the gripping device continues its motion with the chain.

After the pick strand has beenl so laid the lay is given a forward motion in order that the reed may beat up this strand against the fabric already woven. For this purpose the lay is mounted on a slideway 120 at each end,

and has fixed thereto at each end and at intermediate points, if desired, the forward ends of pitrnen 1211. The rear end of each pitman 121 carries a cam follower 122 which engages a cam slot 123 in a cam member 124 which may be fixed to one face of a gear 125. In order to hold the cam followers 122 in proper position relative to the cams, the rear ends of the lin rs 121 are suspended on hangers 135, cach of which is pivoted as on a stub shaft 136 projecting` from one face of a bracket 137 fixed to the machine. The shaft 19 actuating the harness frames is also driven from the shaft 127 as by intermeshing gears 1110 and 1111 fixed on these respective shafts. As shown each of the gears 125 is fixed to a shaft and meshes with a gear 126 carried by a main shaft 127 eiitencl'ng across the machine. As shown beet u Figures 1 and 5, one end of the shaft 127 may have tir-:ed thereon a worm wheel 128 with which engages a worm 129 carried by a jack shaft 130. This jack shaft may be coupled, as by means of a sliding clutch 18 to the shaft 182 of a driving motor 133. The cams 121 are so formed that forward and backward motions of the lay to beat up the pick and then retract in position to lay succeeding picks throun'h the O shed are effected in suitable timed relation to the remainingoperations of the machine. As the sprocket wheels are movable with the lay in its forward and backward motions, special provision has been made for driving these wheels so that the chain may be given its motion through the guideways in a closed path continuously. For this purpose each of the sprocket wheels 75 is slid ably mounted on a pol gonal shaped drive shaft 150 rotatably mounted on the end frames of the machine preferably by means of a thrust ball bearing at the rear end of each shaft as shown at 151. The sprocket wheels have openings shaped to fit the cross section of the shaft, herein shown as square, so that they rotate with this shaft, but may slide axially thereon. End plates 152, 153 and 154 act to retain the sprocketwheels in proper relation to the lay, certain of these end plates having openings through which the shaft 150 may pass freely. Each of the shafts 150 has a bevel pinion 156 thereon meshing with a bevel gear 157 fixed to the end of a shaft 15S which extends across the machine and between the end frames thereof. This shaft 158 has fixed thereto pinions 159, each of these pinions meshing with one of the gears 125. By means of this construction the sprocket wheels are driven from the main motor drive of the machine and yet are permitted to move forwardly and rearwardly with the lay.

Ars each strand is being` beaten up by the forward movement of the lay, it is cut off at the side of the fabric from which it was drawn in, thus leaving an end projecting from the guide 106 to be grasped by the strand-gripping device during its next passage through the shed. As shown in Figures and 5.v this cutting mechanism comprises a pair of blades 165 and 166. The blade 165 is mounted in fixed position while the blade 166 is pivoted at 167 thereto. This blade 166 has extending from its lower portion a finger 168 which is positioned in the path ofmovement of the link 121 in such a manner that as the lay moves forwardly at each beating up motion it strikes the linger 168 and rocks the blade 166 downwardly, bringing its cutting edge 160 into shearing relation with edge 170 of the fixed blade between which the filling strand is carried as the lay moves forwardly. l/l/hen the blade 166 is in closed position with the blade 165. the strand has. been engaged tl'ierebetween and cut off on the side of the fabric from which it was drawn. into the shed. A spring 171 extending from a a lug` 172 at the forward end of the movable blade 166 and hooked into a lug 173 carried by a fixe-d frame member` acts to hold the pivoted blade normally out of operative relation until it is forced into its cutting position by impingement of the lay on the linger 171. A

After the gripper has released the end of the pick strand which it has previously laid and this strand has been beaten into position, this cut end might tend to unravel from the warp strands before the laying of the sucneeding pick. In order to prevent such an occurrence a retaining hook 180 shown in detail in F igure' l has been provided. This hook ias a downwardly turned extremity 181 f those in the main body of the fabric.

adapted to engage back of the last laid pick after it has been beaten up into position, this pick being indicated at ZJ. This hook is pivoted at 182 to a fixed portion of the machine and is provi-ded with a laterally extending pin 183. Extending forwardly from the lay in alinement with this hook 180, as best shown in Figure 2, is a cam element 184 having acam block 185. rThis block when the lay is in its forward position rides beneath the pin 183 of the hook and raises it, causing thehook to rock about its pivot 182, thus raising its extremity 181 from back of the strand so as to permit a succeeding pick which is being beaten up in this forward motion of the layi to be placed in position to be engaged by the extremity 181 when the retraction of the lay permits this end to fall by its own weight into position back of the pick.

As shown in Figure 4, one or more fabric strands c are used as the, extreme warp strand from which the fabric is made and the hook is positioned to engage the pick between this marginal warp or warps and These marginal strand or strands are used to effect a tying of the ends of the picks in position, these warp strands holding more tightly to the picks than 'do thewarp strands of paper from which the bodyof the fabric is formed. This hook mechanism is not claimed herein, but forms the subject matter of divisional application Serial No. 194,870 for looms, filled May 28, 1927, which matured into Patent No. 1,697 ,898 on January 8, 1929.

After the fabric has been woven in this manner it passes to the take-up mechanism D which is also, as shown, arrangedto be driven to intermittently move the fabric for ward as it is being completed. Mechanism for so actuating the take-up mechanism is shown best in Figure 3. The main drive shaft 127 of the machine extends outwardly beyond the end frame 35 and has fixed thereto an eccentric 190, the eccentric strap 1.91 of which is connected, as by a rod 192, to a ratchet mechanism 193 oscillatable about a vertical shaft 194, the ratchet 195 thereof engaging ratchet teeth of a ratchet wheel196 fixed to this shaft. At the upper end of the shaft 194 is a gear 197 meshing with a similar gear 198 at the lower end of a vertically extending shaft 199 which carries at its upper end a worm 200 meshing with a worm wheel 201 on a shaft 202. On this shaft 202 between the end frames of the machine is a lower feed roller 203. The shaft 202 also carries a gear 205 meshing with a similar gear 206 on a shaft 207. Between the end frames of the machine the shaft 207 carries a feed roller 208. The gear 206 meshes with a gear 210 fixed to rotateV with the roll 211 of the take-up mechanism D. The fabric passes about this roll 211, about the roll 208, and between the roll 208 and the roll 203 to the mandrel E on which it is wound. This mandrel is also preferably driven, for this purpose the shaft 127 extending through the opposite end frame 220 and having fixed there to eccentrically the rear end of an arm 222 which carries on its forward end a pawl 224 carried by a link 225 pivoted at 226 on the axis of the mandrel E. This pawl 224 normally engages in ratchet teeth 228 of a ratchet wheel 229 fixed to rotate with the mandrel E.

A holding pawl 230 acts to prevent retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel 229.

Means are also provided for mounting a supply of filling strand from which the picks are laid and cut off in succession. This mechanism is shown in detail in Figures 1, 2, 3 5 and 16. Upstanding from the end frames 35 and 220 of the machine are bracket arms 235 and 236. At the upper end of the bracket arm 235 and adjacent its forward edge is mounted a shaft 240'which extends partly across the machine. The outer end of this shaft has fixed thereto a sprocket wheel 241 over which passes a chain 242 which extends downwardly and about a sprocket wheel 243 carried on the shaft 127 inwardly of the eccentric 190. A chain tightener comprising a pulley 245 pivoted at the end of a link 246 mounted on the frame 220 may be provided for insuring the proper tautness of the sprocket chain. By this means the shaft 240 is driven continuously from the drive shaft 127.` This shaft 240 carries a beveled gear 250 meshing with a beveled pinion 251 on a shaft 252. This shaft 252 is mounted at its forward end in a bearing 253 fixed to a cross frame member 254 extending between the brackets 235 and 236 and at its forwardV end it carries a grooved pulleyl 255 within the groove of which the iilling'strand may pass. A disk wheel 256 mounted on a short 257 projects within the strand groove of the wheel 255 and acts to hold the strand in frietional engagement so that'by the rotation of the wheel 255 the strand may bedrawn ed from the supply as will later appear.'

After passing about the wheel 255 the lling strand passesin a dependent loop formation as shown by the line Z in Figure 1 up to the strand guide 106 through which it passes. It will be* noted that the strand is drawn 0E continuously by the continuous rotation of the wheel 255 while it is passed through the shed intermittently each time the strand-gripping device passes through the shed. This depending loop formation d therefore provides slack during those periods when the picks are not being laid which is taken up on a succeeding laying pass of the strand-gripping device thus preventing sudden jerks from being exerted on the main supply of strand material due to the intermittent feed of the strand material into the shed.

The strand supply is commonly wound on a reel or spool, which, as shown in VFigures 15 and 16 at 260, is mounted to rotate with a brake wheel 261 about which passes a band brake 262. This band brake is fixed at one end as at 268 to a bracket arm 264 extending upwardly from the cross frame member 254. The opposite end of this brake band is fixed as at 265 to an arm 266 pivoted at its upper end as at 267 at the axis of rotation of the brake wheel to which the ieel is fixed. The lower end of this arm is guided for limited swinging motion by means of a strap 268 fixed to the forward face of the bracket- 264, and to which lower end beneath this strap is pivoted a pull rod 269. This rod is fixed at its opposite end to an arm 27 0 upstanding from a 'slide 271 mounted for axial sliding movement between a pair of guides 272 fixed to the forward face of the frame member 254. The strand passes from the reel through a fixed guide member 275 mounted on the frame member 254 and about a small pulley 276 journaled on the'bar 271. This bar 271 is pulled away from the reel 260, for this purpose a spring 277 being shown as attached at one end to this bar and at the other end to the frame member 254. This spring pulls the bar 271 in a direction to impart a slight tension to the strand between the reel and the feed wheel 255 and at the same time acts to impart a frietional drag to the rotation of the brake wheel 262, counterbalancing this tension on the strand. 1f the strand parts, however, between the reel and the'feed wheel, this tension is immediately released and the spring 277 is then free to draw the bar 271 away from the reel, thus pulling on the rod 269 and applying the brake with suffieient force to stop the rotation of the reel. Thus, if the strandparts for any reason, the momentum of the reel is overcome immediately so that it does not continue to unwind the strand which is not being fed to the weaving mechanism.

It sometimes happens that the strand is tied, if, for instance, one piece thereof is not sufficiently long to fill the reel, so that the winding of the material on the reel may be facilitated. It would not, however, be practicable to feed a filling strand having knots therein and for this reason provision is made in `this machine for cutting the strand at a knot automatically and then stopping the machine so that the portion of the strand including the knot may be cut away and the new endl of tlie'strand presented to the pick laying mechanism. The knot cutting device is shown is detail in Figure 17. This device comprises a plate 280 which is carried by the frame member 254 between the strand tension mechanism comprising the bar 271 and the strand drawing mechanism comprising the feed wheel 255. The plate 28() carries a 'plate 282 pivoted on a horizontal pivot 281 passing through the plate 282 adjacent vthe several mechanisms as igsnsee strand to pass therethrough but of insu'iiicient size to permit a knot in the strand asat 284 to pass. The plate 280 also carries, pivoted about one edge thereto at 285, a knife 286,

the cutting edge 287 of which is pressed against one face of the plate'282 as by means of a spring 288 fixed at one end to the knife blade and at the other end to an extension of the plate 280. This spring thus acting on the knife causes the knife to press against the plate 282 and to swing this plate about its pivot 281 as far as may be permitted b an adjustable stop screw' 289 threaded through a lug 290 projecting from one face of the plate 280. Vhen the plate 282 is in contact with the stop screw 289, this plate and the knife are out of parallelism in the position shown in full lines in Figure 17, with the cutting edge 287 of the knife adjacent to the small end of the conical opening 283, but clear thereof. As soon, however, as a knot such as 284 in the strand is brought against the plate 282 as the strand isdrawn by the feed wheels, this knot being too large to pass through the opening 283, causes the plate 282 to be swung away form the stop screw 289, this also causing the knife 286 to swing about its pivot 285 toward parallel relationship with the plate 282 as illustrated in dotted lines. This approach toward parallelism between these two members causes the knife edge 287 to pass across the smaller end of the opening 288, thus severing the strand close to theV knot. As soon as this severing action takes place the pull previous ly exerted on the plate 282 by the feed of the strand ceases, whereupon the plate and knife are pulled back to their former positions by the spring 288. At the saine time the tension mechanism comprising the slide 271 is permitted to be movedV by the spring 277, thus applying the brake to the reel supply and stopping its further rotation.v The strand cutting device is not claimed liereinbut forms the subject matter of a divisional application Serial No. 194,867 for strand cutters filed May 28, 1927.

When the strand is thus cut at the knot, or if for any other reason the strand should part,

it is desirable that the machine shall stopV automatically, whereupon the operator may find the end of the strand and feed it through may be necessary to its proper position in the strand guide 106 where it may-be grasped on subsequent actuation of the machine. Mechanism for effect` ing the stopping of the machine on the parting of the strand is shown in detail in Figure 14, its connection to the driving mechanism being best shown in Figures 2, 8 and 5. Referring first to Figure 5,y it will be noted that the sliding clutch 131, hereinbefore referred Yao pivot-ed to a bracket piece 319 'med to to, which is operable to connect and disconnect the motor shaft 132 to the Worm shaft 130, may be moved axially oil these to effect such connecting` and disconnecting b means of an arm 300 carried by a roel; shaft 301 which is journaled in braclret 802 ez-- tending forwardly 'from a base beam SOS oi' the machine Jr'rame. Jilse fixed to this roel; shaft 301, as shown in Figures :2 and le, is lever arm 30d to the upper end of which is pivoted as shown in Figure 3 a reach ba r 805 extending to the front of the machine where it is piv-oted at 305 Jo an actuating; lever 307 pivoted at 398 to the lower portion of the machine. rlhis lever 30? is provided 'with an actuating handle 309 at its upper end. The arm 30d above referred to also has pivoted to its upper end a member 3H), as shown in Figure l5, having a soclret element Bil thereon in which is slidably mounted a rod 312. rlhis rod 312 is connected to a snitable moving portion of the machine and as herein shown forms the rear end of a bracket member .313 carried by the lay. d l has a notch Sie therein and gli Y a vertical guide sleeve 315 lined to or integral with the sleeve 811 is a latch element 316 Which may be projiected into the notch 314i. `When so projected this latch member couples the member 3l() and the rod 2312 to simultaneous motion. l`he latch 316 shown is carried at the lower end ot a ro 31?, the upper end oit which is pivoted to Jl rear end of a lever 318. This lever o.

s he 'rame member 254 and at its "forward end it carries a depending hooi: 32() over which the iilling strand passes adjacent to ,Quid-e roller positioned close to the `feed Wheel 255. The rear end of the lever 31.8, the rod 817 and the latch S16 overbalance the 'forward end of the lever and the hook 320 so that it the strand. parte, permittingl the hook to rise, the latch 3l@ is biased to move downwardly when permitted by proper relative axial position the ro l "0 Within the soclret element Sil. 'lhe ,f l Bill of he rod 'lQ is so positioned the latch 316 n'iay connect the rod 312 and position, thus peri l, when it has beaten up This stop motion is not claimed h torms the subject matter of a .i plication Serial llo. @568 for mechanisms, filed lli-lay 28, i927.

Having' thus described an emi.

this invention it should be evident to those slrilledm the art that various changes el modiiications might be made therein departing from its spirit or scope as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, means for 'forming a shed, iillino; laying mechanism including a device actuable to grasp and release a strand, means for passing said device through the slied in one direction and returning said device outside or said shed, and means `for causing,- said device to grasp a strand to carry it through said shed and then to release said strand before returnino".

2. In a machine of the class described, means for vforn'iing a shed, filling laying mechanism including a strand-gripping device, means for passing said device through the shed in one direction to lay picks of strand material therein and for returning` said device outside oi' said shed, means for presenting a strand to said device t-o be grasped thereby on its shed-traversing` movement, means to release the strand after said device has passed. through the shed, means acting?, when a length to comprise a pick has been laid 'for cutting oilz said strand with the end portion of the strand back of the cut proiecting; from said presenting` means in position to be grasped by said device on its succeeding shed traverse.

v3. ln a machine oi' the class described, shed-forming' mechanism, and i'illing laying' mechanism comprising a Wheel positioned at each end of the shed, a flexible member engageable with said Wheels and moved thereby in a closed path a portion of which lies Within the shed, and a. strand-gripping device carried bvsaid member.

4. In a machine of the class described,

shed-'forming mechanism, and lillino: laying mechanism comprising a Wheel positioned at each end of the shed, a flexible Wheel-enganino; member, guides extending between said Wheels to direct said member in a closed path from one to the other of said Wheels, one of said guides extending' through the shed, and a strand-gripping device carried by said member.

5. ln a machine or" the class described, shedi forming mechanism, and filling' laying mechanism comprising' a Wheel positioned at each end of the shed, a 'flexible memberof a length to extend between said Wheels, guides eX- tending' between said Wheels to direct said member in a closed path, one of which guides extending` through said shed, and a strandrenga eing device lined to said member.

6. ln combination, a lay having' a pair of guideivays, one of said guideways having slots to receive the Warp strands thereacross, a flexible strand-laying` member mounted to traverse said guides, and means for efl'ecting traverse of said member through said one eivay in one direction through the shed l- Ween said Warp strands, and in the opposite 7. In combination, a lay having` a pair of direction through the other of said `guides guideways, one of said guideways having,` slots to receive the warp strands thereacross, a member traversing; said guideways, a strandgripping device lined to said member, and means for effecting trave 1se of said member through said one guideway in one direction through the shed between said warp strands, and in the opposite direction through the other of said guideways.

8. ln combination, a lay having; a pair ofV lv of said guideway, and means passing.

through said opening for fixing said device to said member.

10. In combination, a lay having an upper and a lower guideway each channel-shape in cross section, and having a slot openingr through its forward face, a fiexible member movable through said guideways, means at each end of said guideways acting to receive said member from one of said guideways and to project it through the other guideway whereby said member is caused to move in a closed path, a strand-gripping device, and

lmeans extending through the slots of said guideways for fixing said device to said member. f

11. In combination, a lay having upper and vlower guideways, a member movable through said guideways, means at opposite ends of said guideways for receiving said member from one of said guideways and returning said member through the other of said gruideways, a strandgrippingY device carriedV by said member, ieans for actuating said device to grip a strand and carry7 it as said member moves along oneof said guideways, and means for thereafter releasing` the strand therefrom.

12. In combination, a lay, a strand-gru;- pinp; device comprising a pair of jaws having' closing` and opening gripping portions, means for resiliently holding said jaws closed,

`means for passing said device across said lay, means adjacent to one end, of said lay for presenting a strand to said device, means adjacent to said presenting` means for engaging said jaws and opening` them to engage the strand, and means adjacent. to the opposite end of said lay for opening said jaws to release the strand.

13. Fillingv laying mechanism comprising a length of sprocket chain projectable across and within the shed, and a strand-gripping device carried by said chain.

14. llfilling` laying mechanism comprising a length of sprocket cha-in composed of pivotally connected link elements, and a strandgripping device fixed to one of said link elements.

15. Filling laying mechanism comprising a member projectable across the shed, a strand-grippinav device carried by said member and comprising a pair of aws pivoted to each other intermediate their ends and having matingstrand-engaging faces at one side of said pivot, means for pressing said faces toward each other, means for presentinothe end of a strand in the path of said element, and a guide througfh which said device passes adjacent to said strand-presenting means engaging said jaws on the opposite side of saidV pivot to separate said strand-engaging faces momentarily to permit the presented strand to enter between them and be gripped.

16. Filling layingl mechanism comprising` a member projectable entirely across the shed, a strand-gripping device carried by said member and comprising a pair of jaws pivoted to each other intermediate their ends and having mating strand-engaging faces at one side of said pivot, means for pressing said faces toward each other, means for presenting;` the end of a strand in the path of said device, means engaging said jaws on the opposite side of said pivot to separate said strand-engaging faces momentarily to permit the presented strands to enter between them and be gripped, and means adjacent to the opposite end of the shed engaging` said Y jaws to separate said strand-engagingfaces momentarily to release the strand.

17. l*`illin.nj'layiiig mechanism comprising a member proj ectable entirely across the shed., a strand-gripping device carried by said member and comprising a pair of jaws pivoted to each other intermediate their ends and having mating; strand-engagino faces at `cneside of said pivot, means for pressing said faces toward each other, means for presenting the end of a strand in the path of said devic means engaging said jaws onY the' oppositeV side of said pivot to separate said strand-engaging faces momentarily to oei-mit the presented strand to enter between Ythem and be gripped, means adjacent to the opposite end of the shed engaging said jaws to separate said strand-engaging faces momentarily to release the strand, and means for holding` said jaws in posit-ion to be acted onby said separating means.

18. Filling,` laying'mechanism comprising a member projectable entirely across the shed, and a strand-gripping element carried by said member, said-element comprising a pair of jaws pivoted together and to said member intermediate their ends, said jaws having strand-gripping faces at one side of said pivot, a spring pressing said faces toward each other means acting during one port-ion of the projection of said member and on the opposite ends of said jaws from said faces for pressing said opposite ends together to separate said faces to receive a strand therebetween, and means for controlling the angular position of said element relative to said member. y

19. Filling laying mechanism comprising a member projectable entirely across the shed, and a strand-gripping device carried by said member, said device comprising a pair of jaws pivoted together and to said member intermediate their vends, said jaws having strand-gripping faces at one side of said pivot, a spring pressing said faces toward each other, means acting during one portion of the projection of said member and on the opposite ends of said jaws from said faces for pressing said opposite ends together to separate said faces to receive a strand therebetween, and a pin projecting from said member between said jaws to control the angular position of said device relative to said member.

20. Filling laying mechanism comprising a sprocket chain projectable across the shed, said hain comprising a plurality of rigid links pivotally connected together, a strandgripping device comprising a pair of jaws pivoted together intermediate their ends and to one of said links, said jaws having strandgripping faces at one side of said pivot, a spring for pressing said faces together, and a pin projecting from said link between said jaws adjacent to said faces for controlling the angular position of said device.

21. In combination with a lay, of a strandgripping device arranged to traverse said lay, a strand guide carried on said lay, and gripper-opening means positioned adjacent to said guide in position to open said device to receive the strand projected from said guide and then to permit said device to close on said strand, said guide and means being adjustable as a unit along said lay.

22. Filling laying mechanism' comprising a pair of spaced substantially parallel guideways, a filling laying member arranged to traverse said guideways, a wheel positioned at each end of said guideways to receive said member from one of said guideways and return it through the other of said guideways, and means for holding said member against said wheels during its transfer from one to the other of said guideways.

23. Filling laying mechanism comprising a pair of spacedk substantially parallel guideways, a filling laying member comprising a length of sprocket chain arranged to traverse signature.

` EARL F. BALDWIN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,731,369. Granted October 15, 1929, to

EARL F. BALDWIN.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in tbe above numbered patent was erroneously written and printed as "American Fiber Corporation", whereas said name should have been Written and printed as "American Fibre Corporation", as shown by the records of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

, Signed and sealed this 5th day of November, A. D.. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

